This may seem like an odd assessment. I view the Jensen Interceptor, such as this 1972 example, in three distinct segments. There’s the front, then the engine, and finally, the rear. Hold that thought, there will be more to follow. Referenced as a barn find, this Interceptor is located in Encino, California, and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $7,900 with eight bids tendered as of this writing.

With eleven years of production, spanning 1966 through 1976, only about 6K Jensen Interceptors were produced in West Bromich, England. Designed by Italy’s Carrozerria Touring, the renowned design studio and coachbuilder did a nice job on the front clip. Jensen gets two thumbs up for their selection of Mopar big-block power. But back to Carrozerria, I have to take those two thumbs up and turn them down for that goofy-looking rear end and backlight. I know, styling is always subjective but as far back as the early ’70s, when I first spied an Interceptor’s hind-side, attached to an otherwise fine-looking car, I thought wow, bugly!

Ok, enough with the snarky styling criticism, let’s consider this specific example. It is listed as having a recorded 51K miles and is still wearing its original Havanna Brown finish.  The seller claims that this is a Florida car, and for that reason, the frame is solid. And while that may be the case, the Florida sun has worked that Havanna Brown pretty hard. It’s faded and rough and looks like it has been rattle-canned here and there, an owner attempted touch-up, perhaps? It could also be the effects of paint applied over poorly prepared Bondo. The trim is mostly in place and the bumpers are OK, though not free of contusions and surface rust. Unfortunately, the windshield is wearing a substantial, top to bottom crack.

Power is courtesy of a 280 net HP, Chrysler, 440 CI V8 engine, sending power to the rear wheels via a TorqueFlite, three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states, “does not drive but does turn freely by hand with a socket“. He also mentions that this Jensen “is mostly complete but there is no rack and pinion“. What does that mean? Does it mean that it is out of service or did someone actually boost the steering mechanism?

The “Expresso” interior is tired looking though the seller considers it to be in good, original condition with original carpets. That’s a fair description but I still stand by my “tired” assessment. The seats are showing wear and separation while those original carpets could use, at the least, a thorough cleaning. The dash pad is surprisingly stout still, but it has a small split or two, including on the vertical face near the gauges. As for the instrument panel, all of the gauges and switchgear appear to still be present. There is a wooden facade atop the center console and it’s starting to either delaminate or disintegrate. All in all, the interior is in notably better condition than the exterior.

OK, so my objection to the Interceptor’s derriere is immaterial and may not be shared with many others. It is important to note, that these Jensens were substantial touring cars in their day; how could they not be with the Mopar hubba-hubba under the bonnet? Unfortunately, 50K miles or not, this example is going to need a lot of exterior help to return it to its former glory and stature. And then there is the issue of that non-running motor…What do you think, a worthwhile challenge or too many unknowns?